Information reproducing apparatus and information reproducing method

Abstract

When a power of a DVD audio player is turned off, a track number relating to a track that is reproduced until the power is turned off, and a group number relating to a group including the track, and a display list number corresponding to the still picture information unit that is reproduced until the power is turned off are stored in a storage unit. When the reproduction is resumed, a reproduction position corresponding to a reproduction starting time of the still picture information unit that was reproduced until the power of the DVD audio player is turned off is determined on the basis of the group number, the track number and the display list number, all of which are stored in the storage unit, and this reproduction position is set as a reproducing resuming position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing audio information and a plurality of still picture information units on the basis of reproduction control information for indicating reproduction starting time points of the respective plurality of still picture information units to be reproduced during a reproduction of the audio information, the information reproducing apparatus comprising: 
 an audio reproducing device for reproducing the audio information;    a still picture reproducing device for reproducing the plurality of still picture information units in sequence by switching the plurality of still picture information units one after another according to the reproduction starting time points;    a storing device for storing information, as interruption information, to identify a still picture information unit that is reproduced until the reproduction by the audio reproducing device or the still picture reproducing device is interrupted; and    a setting device for setting a reproduction resuming position of the audio information, on the basis of the interruption information that is stored in the storing device.    
     
     
         2 . The information reproducing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the audio information includes a plurality of audio information units,    the reproduction control information indicates a reproduction starting time points of the respective plurality of still picture information units to be reproduced during a reproduction of any one of or each of the plurality of audio information units,    the storing device stores, in addition to the interruption information, unit designation information to designate an audio information unit that is reproduced until the reproduction by the audio reproducing device or the still picture reproducing device is interrupted, and    the setting device sets the reproduction resuming position of the audio information on the basis of the unit designation information and the interruption information, which are stored in the storing device.    
     
     
         3 . The information reproducing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the interruption information is reproduction control information of the still picture information unit that is reproduced until the reproduction is interrupted.  
     
     
         4 . The information reproducing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the interruption information is designation information to designate reproduction control information of the still picture information unit that is reproduced until the reproduction is interrupted.  
     
     
         5 . The information reproducing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the interruption information is designation information to designate the still picture information unit that is reproduced until the reproduction is interrupted.  
     
     
         6 . An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing audio information and a plurality of still picture information units on the basis of reproduction control information for indicating reproduction starting time points of the respective plurality of still picture information units to be reproduced during a reproduction of the audio information, the information reproducing apparatus comprising: 
 an audio reproducing device for reproducing the audio information;    a still picture reproducing device for reproducing the plurality of still picture information units in sequence by switching the plurality of still picture information units one after another according to the reproduction starting time points;    a storing device for storing information, as interruption information, to identify a still picture information unit to which a reproduction starting time nearest to an interruption time point that the reproduction by the audio reproducing device or the still picture reproducing device is interrupted is assigned, and    a setting device for setting a reproduction resuming position of the audio information, on the basis of the interruption information that is stored in the storing device.    
     
     
         7 . The information reproducing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein 
 the audio information includes a plurality of audio information units,    the reproduction control information indicates a reproduction starting time points of the respective plurality of still picture information units to be reproduced during a reproduction of any one of or each of the plurality of audio information units,    the storing device stores, in addition to the interruption information, unit designation information to designate an audio information unit that is reproduced until the reproduction by the audio reproducing device or the still picture reproducing device is interrupted, and    the setting device sets the reproduction resuming position of the audio information on the basis of the unit designation information and the interruption information, which are stored in the storing device.    
     
     
         8 . The information reproducing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the interruption information is reproduction control information of the still picture information unit to which the reproduction starting time point nearest to the interruption time point is assigned.  
     
     
         9 . The information reproducing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the interruption information is designation information to designate reproduction control information of the still picture information unit to which the reproduction starting time point nearest to the interruption time point is assigned.  
     
     
         10 . The information reproducing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the interruption information is designation information to designate the still picture information unit to which the reproduction starting time point nearest to the interruption time point is assigned.  
     
     
         11 . An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing audio information and a plurality of still picture information units on the basis of reproduction control information for indicating reproduction starting time points of the respective plurality of still picture information units to be reproduced during a reproduction of the audio information, the information reproducing apparatus comprising: 
 an audio reproducing device for reproducing the audio information;    a still picture reproducing device for reproducing the plurality of still picture information units in sequence by switching the plurality of still picture information units one after another according to the reproduction starting time points;    a storing device for storing information, as interruption information, to indicate an interruption time point that the reproduction by the audio reproducing device or the still picture reproducing device is interrupted; and    a setting device for identifying a still picture information unit that is reproduced until the reproduction is interrupted, on the basis of the interruption information that is stored in the storing device, and for setting a reproduction resuming position of the audio information, on the basis of the identified still picture information unit.    
     
     
         12 . The information reproducing apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 the audio information includes a plurality of audio information units,    the reproduction control information indicates a reproduction starting time points of the respective plurality of still picture information units to be reproduced during a reproduction of any one of or each of the plurality of audio information units,    the storing device stores, in addition to the interruption information, unit designation information to designate an audio information unit that is reproduced until the reproduction by the audio reproducing device or the still picture reproducing device is interrupted, and    the setting device identifies the audio information unit that is reproduced until the reproduction is interrupted on the basis of the unit designation information that is stored in the storing device, identifies the still picture information unit that is reproduced until the reproduction is interrupted on the basis of the interruption information that is stored in the storing device and sets the reproduction resuming position of the audio information on the basis of the identified audio information unit and the identified still picture information unit.    
     
     
         13 . The information reproducing apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the setting device sets a reproduction position of the audio information corresponding to a reproduction starting time of the still picture information unit that is reproduced until the reproduction is interrupted, as the reproduction resuming position of the audio information, on the basis of the interruption information that is stored in the storing device.  
     
     
         14 . An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing audio information and a plurality of still picture information units on the basis of reproduction control information for indicating reproduction starting time points of the respective plurality of still picture information units to be reproduced during a reproduction of the audio information, the information reproducing apparatus comprising: 
 an audio reproducing device for reproducing the audio information;    a still picture reproducing device for reproducing the plurality of still picture information units in sequence by switching the plurality of still picture information units one after another according to the reproduction starting time points;    a storing device for storing information, as interruption information, to indicate an interruption time point that the reproduction by the audio reproducing device or the still picture reproducing device is interrupted; and    a setting device for identifying a still picture information unit to which a reproduction starting time point nearest to the interruption time point is assigned on the basis of the interruption information that is stored in the storing device, and for setting a reproduction resuming position of the audio information, on the basis of the identified still picture information unit.    
     
     
         15 . The information reproducing apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein 
 the audio information includes a plurality of audio information units,    the reproduction control information indicates a reproduction starting time points of the respective plurality of still picture information units to be reproduced during a reproduction of any one of or each of the plurality of audio information units,    the storing device stores, in addition to the interruption information, unit designation information to designate an audio information that is reproduced until the reproduction is interrupted, and    the setting device identifies the audio information that is reproduced until the reproduction is interrupted on the basis of the unit designation information that is stored in the storing device, identifies the still picture information to which the reproduction starting time point nearest to the interruption time point is assigned, on the basis of the interruption information that is stored in the storing device, and sets the reproduction resuming position of the audio information on the basis of the identified audio information unit and the identified still picture information unit.    
     
     
         16 . The information reproducing apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the setting device identifies the still picture information to which a reproduction starting time point nearest to the interruption time point is assigned, on the basis of the interruption information that is stored in the storing device, and sets a reproduction position of the audio information corresponding to the reproduction starting time of the identified still picture information, as the reproduction starting position of the unit of audio information.  
     
     
         17 . An information reproducing method of reproducing audio information and a plurality of still picture information units on the basis of reproduction control information for indicating reproduction starting time points of the respective plurality of still picture information units to be reproduced during a reproduction of the audio information, the information reproducing method comprising: 
 an audio reproducing process of reproducing the audio information;    a still picture reproducing process of reproducing the plurality of still picture information units in sequence by switching the plurality of still picture information units one after another according to the reproduction starting time points;    a storing process of storing information, as interruption information, to identify a still picture information unit that is reproduced until the reproduction in the audio reproducing process or the still picture reproducing process is interrupted; and    a setting process of setting a reproduction resuming position of the audio information, on the basis of the interruption information that is stored in the storing process.    
     
     
         18 . An information reproducing method of reproducing audio information and a plurality of still picture information units on the basis of reproduction control information for indicating reproduction starting time points of the respective plurality of still picture information units to be reproduced during a reproduction of the audio information, the information reproducing method comprising: 
 an audio reproducing process of reproducing the audio information;    a still picture reproducing process of reproducing the plurality of still picture information units in sequence by switching the plurality of still picture information units one after another according to the reproduction starting time points;    a storing process of storing information, as interruption information, to identify a still picture information unit to which a reproduction starting time nearest to an interruption time point that the reproduction in the audio reproducing process or the still picture reproducing process is interrupted is assigned, and    a setting process of setting a reproduction resuming position of the audio information, on the basis of the interruption information that is stored in the storing process.    
     
     
         19 . An information reproducing method of reproducing audio information and a plurality of still picture information units on the basis of reproduction control information for indicating reproduction starting time points of the respective plurality of still picture information units to be reproduced during a reproduction of the audio information, the information reproducing method comprising: 
 an audio reproducing process of reproducing the audio information;    a still picture reproducing process of reproducing the plurality of still picture information units in sequence by switching the plurality of still picture information units one after another according to the reproduction starting time points;    a storing process of storing information, as interruption information, to indicate an interruption time point that the reproduction in the audio reproducing process or the still picture reproducing process is interrupted; and    a setting process of identifying a still picture information unit that is reproduced until the reproduction is interrupted, on the basis of the interruption information that is stored in the storing process, and for setting a reproduction resuming position of the audio information, on the basis of the identified still picture information unit.    
     
     
         20 . An information reproducing method of reproducing audio information and a plurality of still picture information units on the basis of reproduction control information for indicating reproduction starting time points of the respective plurality of still picture information units to be reproduced during a reproduction of the audio information, the information reproducing method comprising: 
 an audio reproducing process of reproducing the audio information;    a still picture reproducing process of reproducing the plurality of still picture information units in sequence by switching the plurality of still picture information units one after another according to the reproduction starting time points;    a storing process of storing information, as interruption information, to indicate an interruption time point that the reproduction in the audio reproducing process or the still picture reproducing process is interrupted; and    a setting process of identifying a still picture information unit to which a reproduction starting time point nearest to the interruption time point is assigned on the basis of the interruption information that is stored in the storing process, and for setting a reproduction resuming position of the audio information, on the basis of the identified still picture information unit.    
     
     
         21 . A computer program product in a computer-readable medium for tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer to make the computer function as an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing audio information and a plurality of still picture information units on the basis of reproduction control information for indicating reproduction starting time points of the respective plurality of still picture information units to be reproduced during a reproduction of the audio information, the information reproducing apparatus comprising: 
 an audio reproducing device for reproducing the audio information;    a still picture reproducing device for reproducing the plurality of still picture information units in sequence by switching the plurality of still picture information units one after another according to the reproduction starting time points;    a storing device for storing information, as interruption information, to identify a still picture information unit that is reproduced until the reproduction by the audio reproducing device or the still picture reproducing device is interrupted; and    a setting device for setting a reproduction resuming position of the audio information, on the basis of the interruption information that is stored in the storing device.    
     
     
         22 . A computer program product in a computer-readable medium for tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer to make the computer function as an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing audio information and a plurality of still picture information units on the basis of reproduction control information for indicating reproduction starting time points of the respective plurality of still picture information units to be reproduced during a reproduction of the audio information, the information reproducing apparatus comprising: 
 an audio reproducing device for reproducing the audio information;    a still picture reproducing device for reproducing the plurality of still picture information units in sequence by switching the plurality of still picture information units one after another according to the reproduction starting time points;    a storing device for storing information, as interruption information, to identify a still picture information unit to which a reproduction starting time nearest to an interruption time point that the reproduction by the audio reproducing device or the still picture reproducing device is interrupted is assigned, and    a setting device for setting a reproduction resuming position of the audio information, on the basis of the interruption information that is stored in the storing device.    
     
     
         23 . A computer program product in a computer-readable medium for tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer to make the computer function as an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing audio information and a plurality of still picture information units on the basis of reproduction control information for indicating reproduction starting time points of the respective plurality of still picture information units to be reproduced during a reproduction of the audio information, the information reproducing apparatus comprising: 
 an audio reproducing device for reproducing the audio information;    a still picture reproducing device for reproducing the plurality of still picture information units in sequence by switching the plurality of still picture information units one after another according to the reproduction starting time points;    a storing device for storing information, as interruption information, to indicate an interruption time point that the reproduction by the audio reproducing device or the still picture reproducing device is interrupted; and    a setting device for identifying a still picture information unit that is reproduced until the reproduction is interrupted, on the basis of the interruption information that is stored in the storing device, and for setting a reproduction resuming position of the audio information, on the basis of the identified still picture information unit.    
     
     
         24 . A computer program product in a computer-readable medium for tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer to make the computer function as an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing audio information and a plurality of still picture information units on the basis of reproduction control information for indicating reproduction starting time points of the respective plurality of still picture information units to be reproduced during a reproduction of the audio information, the information reproducing apparatus comprising: 
 an audio reproducing device for reproducing the audio information;    a still picture reproducing device for reproducing the plurality of still picture information units in sequence by switching the plurality of still picture information units one after another according to the reproduction starting time points;    a storing device for storing information, as interruption information, to indicate an interruption time point that the reproduction by the audio reproducing device or the still picture reproducing device is interrupted; and    a setting device for identifying a still picture information unit to which a reproduction starting time point nearest to the interruption time point is assigned on the basis of the interruption information that is stored in the storing device, and for setting a reproduction resuming position of the audio information, on the basis of the identified still picture information unit.